This starts with Kevin Von Erich cutting a promo about holding the World Class World Heavyweight Title and what it takes to be the champion. Good stuff and extra material.

 

Then we get the Adias heel turn angle again.

 

Then we get the Abby/Yurkov vs. Brody/Simpson match again.

 

Kerry then cuts a promo from his home with Bill Mercer about the Adias heel turn before the other Von Erichs cut a promo at ringside and this is extra material.

 

Al Madril vs. Bart Batten (10/31/86)

 

Madril just beat Batten’s ass and pounded him with a board on the floor drawing blood so Madril started biting his head before pinning him.

 

World Class Six-Man Tag Titles: Kevin, Lance, & Mike Von Erich © vs. Brian Adias, Black Bart, & Crusher Yurkov (Bigelow) (10/31/86)

 

The match doesn’t really get going until Kevin gets in the ring as he brawls with the big guys trying to get to Adias. Yurkov was choking Kevin on the mat but Kevin would raise up using his legs around Yurkov’s head and goes into his patented leg scissors in a cool spot. Adias would finally come in there when Kevin was down but would get out as Kevin started fighting back. Kevin would get the tag to Lance who would take punishment for a while. Kevin would get the hot tag and put the iron claw on Yurkov before it turned into a wild 6-way brawl with Rick Hazzard calling for the bell making this a DQ win for the Von Erichs. This had some good moments but as a whole it wasn’t that hot and not a nomination.

 

Tony Atlas vs. Master G (George Wells) (12/5/86)

 

Atlas dances with kids before the match which was awkward. Master G has the blonde hair looking like Sweet Daddy Sikicito and has gotten fat over the years. Not a good match as both men were pretty lazy at this time and it took Percy Pringle to make it interesting as he bumped for Atlas before bringing out Matt Borne who would run in for the DQ. Atlas then got his ass kicked after the match.

 

Adias, Bart, & Madril cut a promo about their match with the Von Erichs coming up.

 

World Class Six-Man Tag Titles: Kevin, Lance, & Mike Von Erich © vs. Brian Adias, Black Bart, & Al Madril (12/5/86)

 

Von Erichs got sneak attacked before the match but they made their own comeback and ran them out. Bart starts out getting punished by the Von Erichs because every time he tried to make a tag his partners wouldn’t oblige. We get a big clip from here into Kevin playing FIP but it would soon break out into a 6-way brawl with Kevin hitting a dropkick off the top rope with a cradle to get the win. The wild brawl would continue after the match in the ring and on the floor. Fun but that clip was horrible.

 

Gary Hart then cuts a promo about Abby’s match against Brody on 12/25/86 at Reunion Arena. Brody would then come out with plane tickets for Hart & Abby as they will be leaving town after Christmas. Not so fast Brody and this is extra material.

 

World Class Tag Titles: Dingo Warrior & Lance Von Erich © vs. Brian Adias & Al Madril (12/1/86)

 

This is from Fort Worth. Adias & Madril work pretty well as a team here and do a pretty good job of carrying their limited opponents especially Dingo who wasn’t bad as an FIP. Lance got the hot tag and hit a nice flying dropkick off the top rope for a nearfall before the match broke down with Lance going for a flying headscissors on Adias but Madril used knux to KO Lance with Adias getting the pin to win the titles. Not bad.

 

Then we get clips with the Von Erichs in the ring in Fort Worth showing off a painting by a fan of the family that looked pretty good so you know what comes next. The clip goes to Madril beating Steve Simpson and going for the painting which he would then break. Mike would attack Madril until Adias shows up for the doubleteam until Kevin would even the odds for wild brawl around the arena. Definite extra.

 

Kerry then cuts a promo talking about his possible return to the ring and that he would be Mike’s manager until then.

 

Al Madril vs. Steve Doll (12/19/86)

 

Madril destroys Doll using a chair on the floor and a post job. It’s so sad seeing the Sportatorium so darkly lit to hide the empty seats. Doll would try to come back but Madril would squash that effort.

 

Adias & Madril then cut a funny promo on the Von Erichs.

 

Then we get clips of Adias/Madril vs. Kevin/Mike from Reunion Arena on 12/25/86.

 

Then we get promos from Scott Casey, Dingo Warrior, & Tony Atlas talking about their goals in 1987.

 

Red River Jack sends in his debut video and man he sounds a lot like Bruiser Brody. Definite extra.

 

Abdullah the Butcher vs. Roberto Soto (1/30/87)

 

Your normal Butcher match but Soto puts up a fight.

 

Handicap Match: Tony Atlas vs. Maniac Matt Borne & Percy Pringle (1/30/87)

 

I saw this earlier on some PWTW clips and this was fun thanks to Pringle in his Buckwheat shirt.

 

Then we get clips of Kevin vs. Madril from Fort Worth on 2/2/87 where Kevin put up his title vs. $30,000 which he would win but Adias would steal.

 

Brian Adias vs. Perry Jackson (1/30/87)

 

Adias is now hooked up with Gary Hart. Total squash.

 

Red River Jack (Brody) vs. Killer Brooks (2/2/87)

 

This is from Fort Worth and is RRJ’s debut. Hart cuts a promo during the match swearing that RRJ is Brody and he would prove it. Brooks would get some offense in but this was all about getting the RRJ gimmick over.

 

Dingo Warrior vs. Master G (1/30/87)

 

Dingo brought in this old lady wearing facepaint who was playing to the crowd pretty good along with her daughter which was hilarious. Another match that wasn’t too good but Pringle made it fine.

 

Scott Casey vs. Al Madril (3/6/87)

 

These two have been feuding throughout Texas for almost 2 years. Okay enough match that ends in a shitty DQ when Madril backdropped Casey over the top rope. Black Bart would show up with a saddle talking about breaking his brother Steve’s leg and threatening to do the same to his mother.

 

Gary Hart then brings out Nord the Barbarian for a promo telling the history between him & Brody. Lance Von Erich would show up and got his ass kicked for his trouble.

 

Kevin Von Erich vs. Maniac Matt Borne (3/6/87)

 

Finally a match between two good workers. Borne got some good punches off to start so Kevin had to counter with a dropkick right to the face then another one off the top rope just as hard. Borne would go to the floor to regroup with Percy before coming back to the ring where he would soon meet another dropkick to the face. Kevin would then hit a flying headscissors to the mat where he would it until Borne got a MUGA counter of it. Borne would break free so Kevin would then lock on a bodyscissors taking Borne back to the mat. Borne would break free again but Kevin would counter with an iron claw until Borne took him into the corner so Pringle could hit him. Borne would use this to go on the offensive where he would work over Kevin until Kevin would hit a reverse splash off the middle rope to get the win. Fun match that went just over 6 minutes and the best match I’ve seen all day so I’m throwing it on the block.

 

Mr. Jeep Swenson vs. Red River Jack (Brody) (3/6/87)

 

This was nothing but a brawl although not a good one that would end in a TV draw.

 

Steve Simpson vs. “Flamboyant” Eric Embry (4/17/87)

 

Embry bumps all over the place for Simpson who looked good here but this match would end quickly as the RPM’s jumped in for the DQ. Embry would then powder Simpson after the match dumping a whole box on him.

 

The Fantastics then send a taped promo in on a scaffold pimping their match at Texas Stadium on 5/3/87. RPM’s & Embry then showed up to talk shit to them then tried to attack them but Simpson would even the odds. Extra material.

 

Then we get a Kevin Von Erich video set to Warrior by Scandal.

 

Gary Hart would then cut a promo with Nord & Jeep talking about the Texas Stadium show.

 

Nord the Barbarian vs. Barry Collier (4/17/87)

 

Squash.

 

Cousin Junior vs. Mike Reed (4/17/87)

 

Squash.

 

Brody then sends in a taped promo about Jeep Swenson and it was quite insane. Extra material.

 

Spike Huber & Red River Jack (Brody) vs. Mr. Jeep Swenson & The Warlock (4/17/87)

 

I have no idea on who the Warlock is although he looks sorta like Tug Taylor but his belly isn’t as big. This wasn’t good but Huber did have a big bump after he missed a running body press over the top rope onto the floor. Huber then got his ass beat some more but RRJ would get in there and they won the match.

 

Lance then comes out to talk about his situation with Nord from the previous week and the Fants would follow talking about the RPM’s and other challengers for their titles.

 

Then we get a guy singing at Texas Stadium in honor of David & Mike Von Erich.

 

Maniac Matt Borne & Scott Casey vs. Black Bart & Jack Victory (5/3/87)

 

Borne is now a babyface after turning on Pringle. Casey would take a beating here as he was in for a long time against both heels who were in and out as Borne was busy going after Percy. Bart would his miss Texas Compactor giving Casey a chance to make the hot tag to Borne who would clean house before the 4-way brawl would start. Borne would end up getting a sloppy belly-to-belly suplex on Bart for the win. Decent match but nothing special.

 

Cousin Junior vs. The Grappler (Len Denton) (5/3/87)

 

Man did Junior suck.

 

Then we get the scaffold match that I have seen already.

 

Steve Doll vs. Killer Brooks (5/3/87)

 

Doll has got a new look and tights which would mean a push and sure enough he would get a small package for the upset win but the finish was totally botched and they had to redo it as Doll injured himself trying to slam Brooks.

 

“Latin Heartthrob” Al Perez vs. Jeff Raitz (5/15/87)

 

Perez makes his debut in a very empty Sportatorium and he looked good here although Raitz got some offense in. Hart & Perez cut a promo after the match where Hart has to explain that Nord left town because Kevin Von Erich was a tough champion.

 

Then we get the Mascaras/Madril and Huber/RRJ vs. Abby/Eli matches I’ve seen already.

 

Bruiser Brody vs. Perry Jackson (5/15/87)

 

Squash.

 

Loser Leaves Town: The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) vs. Brian Adias & Al Madril (5/15/87)

 

This is the culimination of their feud that has lasted 3 months. Good action early as the Fants had some good offense especially Fulton with his punches and Madril would get nearfalls with sneaky cradles. Adias and his leopard tights were odd but I really dug him as a heel here. Rogers would play FIP as usual but got a nice German Suplex in before a big clip again as both teams were brawling and the match ending in a DDQ. Adias then hit Madril by accident after the match which pissed off Madril so Adias popped him turning on him but Madril made his own save. Fants threw Jim Holliday in the ring so Madril could nail him. Madril demands Adias come back but he won’t until for a post-match interview with Jim Holliday where he buries Madril for being Mexican. The clip was horrible here so I can’t judge the match but we definitely need the angle as an extra.

 

Brody then comes out with a trashcan talking about how the trash has been taken out of Texas (Nord & Jeep) and that he was there to stay. Brody then said that Red River Jack had left and had gone to Disneyland.

 

“Latin Heartthrob” Al Perez vs. Spike Huber (5/15/87)

 

This would go to the floor fairly quickly with both men brawling with each other and Huber posting Perez before going back to the ring where Huber would take control. Perez would get some shots in but Huber would dictate the pace keeping the advantage until he would miss a diving elbow smash giving Perez the chance to change the pace getting more aggressive and pounding on Huber. Huber would then regain the advantage after Perez missed a elbow drop and stepped up his aggression to match Perez’s but Al would catch him clean with a forearm smash before locking on the spinning toehold but Huber would kick him off into the corner. Huber went to get him but met a boot to the face and Perez pinned him with his feet on the ropes for the win. Very solid competitive match and one of the better matches of this time period. This goes on the block.

 

The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) vs. The Rock n Roll RPM’s (Mike Davis & Tommy Lane) (5/15/87)

 

Matt Borne would come out to counter the presence of Percy Pringle on the floor. RPM’s do a lot of bumping around for the Fants early on who looked good as usual. We get a clip when the RPM’s start their control section on Rogers to in the middle of it so it doesn’t look like a big clip but one nonetheless. Rogers gets worked over good before finally getting the hot tag to Fulton who comes in blazing cleaning house on the RPM’s. Pringle would trip up Fulton but Rogers would break up the pinfall so Borne would trip up Lane letting Fulton cover him for the win. This was a good match even with the clip but I’m not sure on a nomination so a maybe from me.

 

Ted Arcidi vs. Maniac Matt Borne (5/29/87)

 

Kerry is doing color commentary for this talking about how strong Arcidi is. Borne would bring Percy in the ring before long for a DDQ to end the match.

 

Al Madril vs. Len Denton (5/29/87)

 

Denton is now unmasked. This had some good back and forth action until Adias showed up to interfere for the DQ.

 

The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) vs. Boy Tony & “Flamboyant” Eric Embry (5/29/87)

 

Falk & Embry as a tag team is tremendous and they bump their asses off here along with some great stooging and facials as you would expect. What do you know a fucking clip this one being a big one as we join the end of the Rogers’ FIP section so we missed a lot.

 

Dingo Warrior vs. Bear Collie (5/29/87)

 

Squash.

 

Then we get the Kevin/Nord match from Texas Stadium that I’ve seen already and another replay of Kerry beating Flair at Texas Stadium as part of Kerry’s Korner.

 

Then we get a video of Kevin going on his Japanese tour defending his World Class title.

Disc 1

 

int: Kevin Von Erich

 

Another mush-mouthed but meaningful promo from Kevin. Extra.

 

int: Kerry Von Erich

 

Any angle that gets me to care about Brian Adias must be doing something right. Extra.

 

int: Kevin, Mike, & Lance Von Erich

 

Even Mike is fired up. Extra.

 

Al Madril vs. Bart Batten (10/31/86)

 

I like heel Madril, but this wasn't one of his more interesting performances.

 

World Class Six-Man Tag Titles: Kevin, Lance, & Mike Von Erich © vs. Brian Adias, Black Bart, & Crusher Yurkov (Bigelow) (10/31/86)

 

I liked this quite a bit more than Kris did. This is a weird match in that the strongest performances from the two teams come from Mike Von Erich and Brian Adias of all people. Mike is a guy who has been perpetually bored throughout his entire career, but the Adias heel turn must have lit a fire under his ass, because he is going crazy here. He really comes across as super pissed at Adias, he is constantly on the attack, running in to get at Adias, and just just tenaciously going after the heels throughout. Adias gives the best performance of the match - and the best performance I've ever seen from him - with an awesome cowardly heel routine, waiting until his opponents are softened up to tag in and running for his life when they start to make a comeback. Yurkov delivers a great bruising performance, Kevin works his usual magic, and while Lance's role in the match is limited, he delivers when he can. Only downside is the mediocre work of Black Bart and the somewhat baffling finish where the heels are DQ'd for reasons unknown. This breaks down into total chaos by the end, and it is a blast. I'm throwing it on the block.

 

Tony Atlas vs. Master G (George Wells) (12/5/86)

 

Aw, this match was perfectly fine. It's not quite a nomination, and the real star of the match is Percy Pringle, but it kept me entertained.

 

int: Madril, Adias, & Black Bart

 

Black Bart goes for the record for most uses of the word "dad-gum" in a single promo.

 

int: Gary Hart & Brody

 

Extra material.

 

World Class Tag Titles: Dingo Warrior & Lance Von Erich © vs. Brian Adias & Al Madril (12/1/86)

 

It is weird to see Woyah working FIP. This isn't quite as impressive as his match with Bob Bradley, though, and it's not like that was nomination material. And Adias looks as lousy as ever. Not good.

 

Von Erich Painting angle

 

Bonus points for Marc Lowrance's Mr. Rogers sweater and his nonchalant attitude towards the painting getting smashed. Also, was it just me, or was Mike not in that painting? Anyway, this is an extra.

 

int: Kerry Von Erich

 

He's Mike's manager now, and he promises we'll be seeing a whole different wrestler. Hopefully this one doesn't suck.

 

Al Madril vs. Steve Doll (12/19/86)

 

Madril isn't really a great squash match wrestler.

 

int: Madril & Adias

 

The heels mocking the Von Erichs was pretty good. Possible extra.

 

int: Casey, Warrior, & Atlas

 

Features maybe the most lucid Warrior promo ever, and Atlas continuing to reveal himself as one of the secret great micworkers of all time.

 

Abdullah the Butcher vs. Roberto Soto (1/30/87)

 

Abdullah is pretty fun beating on Soto. OK match.

 

Handicap Match: Tony Atlas vs. Maniac Matt Borne & Percy Pringle (1/30/87)

 

I loved this. Percy was comedy gold ("What do you mean, 'handicap match'? I ain't no Von Erich") and brought some grade A racebaiting with the Buckwheat shirt. Atlas is infectiously likable. It's hard not to get behind him, even if he's not exactly a superworker. This should be an extra.

 

Disc 2

 

Red River Jack (Brody) vs. Killer Brooks (2/2/87)

 

Gary Hart cuts a good promo, but this drags on too long for what they were trying to do.

 

Dingo Warrior vs. Master G (1/30/87)

 

Weird how mellow Warrior is here. Match was lousy.

 

Scott Casey vs. Al Madril (3/6/87)

 

Good match with some fun heel antics from Madril. In case it was a bit vague, I believe that Black Bart felt that Scott Casey was a drugstore cowboy.

 

int: Gary Hart & Nord; Nord attacks Lance

 

What was Lance even doing out there in the first place?

 

Kevin Von Erich vs. Maniac Matt Borne (3/6/87)

 

This rocked, as you might expect. A bit on the short side, but action packed, and I'll co-sign it as a low-end nomination.

 

Mr. Jeep Swenson vs. Red River Jack (Brody) (3/6/87)

 

Blech.

 

Scaffold match hype angle

 

This was neat. Extra.

 

Kevin Von Erich "Warrior" music video

 

Extra.

 

int: Gary Hart

 

It is what it is.

 

int: Bruiser Brody

 

That was rather zany. Extra.

 

Spike Huber & Red River Jack (Brody) vs. Mr. Jeep Swenson & The Warlock (4/17/87)

 

Thought this was actually a good match, owed largely to it being worked mostly as a singles match between Huber and the perfectly acceptable Warlock. Brody only comes in at the very beginning and very end, and I don't think Swenson ever even legally entered the match.

 

int: Lance Von Erich

int: The Fantastics

 

It's sad when you have a tag team try to cut a promo where they run down the long list of challengers and can only come up with two.

 

Mike Von Erich "musical" tribute number

 

I use quotation marks because it's sort of a William Shatner-style spoken word song set to a Casio keyboard pre-set. Extra by virtue of sleaze and oddness.

 

Maniac Matt Borne & Scott Casey vs. Black Bart & Jack Victory (5/3/87)

 

Nothing match.

 

Cousin Junior vs. The Grappler (Len Denton) (5/3/87)

 

This was actually a really fun match. Junior was not a superworker by any means, but he worked well with Grappler on the mat, ate his offense well, and had that flying headscissors that totally flipped me out. Grappler is calling the shots here, and he keeps the match in working order. Not a nomination, but better than you might expect.

 

Steve Doll vs. Killer Brooks (5/3/87)

 

Move along. Nothing to see here.

 

Disc 3

 

“Latin Heartthrob” Al Perez vs. Jeff Raitz (5/15/87)

 

Shockingly good, as I had never thought much of Perez before. But he busted out a lot of nice offense and bumped around really well for Raitz. He gave Raitz a lot of offense, which might not have been a great idea, since Raitz was pretty awkward, but he did his best to make him look good in defeat. Thought it was weird to use the spinning toe hold for a knockout, especially one that worked that quickly. Overall, can't complain. I was amused at Perez being called a "young lion", and disappointed that there weren't any ramps for him to run down.

 

int: Gary Hart & Perez

 

Served its purpose.

 

Loser Leaves Town: The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) vs. Brian Adias & Al Madril (5/15/87)

 

This angle makes no sense to me. Was there any build to a possible Adias/Madril break-up whatsoever? Is one misplaced blow enough to cause the team to explode like that? And Adias hit Madril accidentally. Doesn't that make Adias the face for being misunderstood?

 

int: Adias & Holliday

 

I will, however, back Adias' insane racebaiting promo as a must-have extra. Adias turning heel (well, heeler, I guess) because of tacos brings back warm, fuzzy memories of Cactus Jack turning heel because of Doritos.

 

int: Bruiser Brody

 

I am a sucker for promos where wrestlers bring out props to illustrate their points. Possible extra.

 

“Latin Heartthrob” Al Perez vs. Spike Huber (5/15/87)

 

I am starting to change my tune on Perez, as he is really showing me some stuff now. He takes some nifty bumps in this match. Huber is usually pretty good, but wasn't doing much for me here. Good, but not great match, and I'm gonna have to pass on nominating it.

 

The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) vs. The Rock n Roll RPM’s (Mike Davis & Tommy Lane) (5/15/87)

 

Great match. We should be on the lookout for a version that doesn't have the clip in it, but even so, the clip seems pretty inconsequential. I'm throwing this on the block.

 

Ted Arcidi vs. Maniac Matt Borne (5/29/87)

 

Arcidi is built a lot like Mark Henry, but on a smaller frame. You know, it's almost as though actual strongmen don't look like bodybuilders, and like they don't have the same type of musculature.

 

Nah.

 

Anyway, short but fun match where Borne makes Arcidi look good and also gets to bust out a nice German suplex.

 

Al Madril vs. Len Denton (5/29/87)

 

World Class had a chaplain? Can he be excommunicated? Madril is a face again, which means we're in bland city, population: this.

 

Kevin goes to Japan

 

This was what it was.